Retha May Peterson Nielsen 1907 ~ 2006 Retha was born September 17, 1907 in Oak Creek, Sanpete County, Utah. Her parents were James T. and Melissa Stewart Peterson. She was the ninth child in a family of twelve children of whom she was the last survivor. She attended elementary school in Fairview, three miles south of her home and then attended high school at North Sanpete High School five miles south of Fairview in Mt. Pleasant. She married Charles R. Nielsen on September 19, 1929. in the Manti LDS Temple. Charles preceded her in death in 1995. She is survived by their three children: Elwin (Marilyn), Charlene (Allen) Kimball and Clinton (Bonnie), 15 grandchildren and 27 great-grand- children. During World War II she and Charles moved to Layton, Utah where they worked at Hill Air Force Base. She was one of the early "Rosie the Riveters". Near the end of the war they moved to Murray where their children grew up, attended grade school, Murray High School and the University of Utah. Retha was always active in her church, serving often as teacher and in the presidencies of the Primary, M.I.A. (the young people's organization) and Relief Society. She also served as organist for many years for various wards where they lived. Retha has always been cheerful, positive and fun loving and made friends easily throughout her life. She is adored by her grandchildren for whom she was always a wonderful example of love, cheerfulness, optimism and appreciation of the beauties of the world about her. She was known for her ability to make everything she touched beautiful. Everyone who knows her loves her. Funeral services will be on Friday, February 10, 2006 at the Holladay South Stake Center, 4917 Viewmont St. in Holladay at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends may visit at the church from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 prior to the services. Interment will be at the Fairview City Cemetery. www.celebratinglife-ut.com.
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